KATE ROOSA

Kate has been a rider and student of the horse for over twenty years and has been teaching with horses for more than ten. Hoping to share the impact that horses have had on her own life, Kate’s mission as an equestrian coach, instructor and trainer is to inspire personal growth, healthy relationships and good citizenship through the study and practice of horsemanship.

Stemming from her experience as a child in the Vermont 4-H Horse program, the core of Kate’s philosophy is an understanding of equine natural history, physiology and psychology. Her knowledge and continued curiosity allow her to carefully manage each horse’s physical and mental well-being as the first step in creating a safe and reliable partnership.

Kate dedicated the early part of her career to teaching beginners to be, from day one, biomechanically correct riders with minimal impact on the school horses. Informed by her experience studying neuroscience and working as a behavioral health professional, Kate’s approach to teaching honors the role of cognitive development, emotional regulation and mental health in the learning process for both children and adults. 

As her program has evolved, Kate has expanded into the training of safe and well-educated horses for amateur riders. She has a long-time love of the sport of Eventing, but regardless of the discipline, her riding and training is centered around developing the physical capacity of each horse through the thoughtful application of classical dressage principles.

This approach to horsemanship, that builds each partnership through the six foundations of hippology, equine management, natural horsemanship, rider biomechanics, rider fitness and classical dressage, has led Kate to her niche as a mentor and facilitator supporting committed youth and amateur adult riders from their first lessons to training and competition.